I am planning a Tuscany-Dolomites-Venice trip for Sept./Oct. 2005.

My question is how to go from the Dolomites to Venice. I am thinking we will leave Siena and drive directly to Bolzano, stay the night, drive to Castelrotto, Ortesei, or Cortona and stay the second night, go someplace beyond Cortina for the third night and then go on to Venice.

Problem is so many mid-range (still expensive!!) hotels and B&Bs require a three night stay and half-board. I am rethinking my drive-and-stay plan and would appreciate any advise you experienced travelers can offer.

We don't mind so many one-night stays because we prefer to drive short distances and not have to backtrack. We enjoy staying in small, charming B&Bs; we try to pack light so that it's not such a pain to go on to the next place.

Im staying at the Cavellino d'Or in Castelrotto in mid October this year. got a real good rate (80 double for single use). Reviews were very good. There is apparently one of the castles in the nearby towns that offers accomodation and looked quite reasonable,,,will try to find the name and post it for you if you are interested

More details on our wish list for our group of four: we are interested in driving to see the views or taking ski lifts or trams (both up and down!) as opposed to hiking. Easy walks (with wine glass in hand) would be great! Would like to see some castles, preferably furnished and with some interesting history. Will definitely want to go to the "ice man" museum in Bolzano. Open to suggestions for other things to do.

We would prefer Tyrolean-style lodging as opposed to modern hotels. Ideal price would be around 100 euro B&B; half-board is ok for one night.

Wildfire: I would be interested in the castle accommodations if you are able to obtain the name. I thought your hotel required a three-night stay or additional 25%. Is that not the case?

You will be able to find Gast Haus acommodations at dozens of private homes and small B&Bs in the Val Gardena and Casterotto area that time of year without reservations. I would pass thru Bolzano and stay 2 nites in the Val Gardena area, then take the scenic drive to Cortina--you will love it.

We love Bolzano, and have enjoyed staying at this small hotel right outside of the town, a short 10min walk into town. It is on a vinyard,great restaurant on site, and reasonable price, and not a three day minimum. There are many great hikes via cablecars in Bolzano.
http://www.hotelhanny.it/

Jal - As Bob says, you'll have no problem finding accm without advance booking at that time of year.

Some ski-lifts are open in October, others close in September. You can check online next summer to find out which are still open for your dates.

A few of the best lifts are:

- Lagazuoi (from Falzarego Pass)
- Sass Pordoi (Pordoi Pass)
- Alpe di Siusi (from Siusi)
- Dantercepies (from Selva)
- Ciampinoi (Selva)
- Florian chairlift (from Saltria/ Alpe di Siusi)

... to name a few!

You can also plan some wonderful scenic drives. I posted some last year and can find them if you're interested ...

Here are a couple of websites for Val Gardena and Castelrotto which are full of useful info:

http://www.val-gardena.com/?pagid=28&newlang=eng

http://www.kastelruth.com/Default.asp?L=3

Like Bob I'd probably base in one place for 2/3 days and tour, rather than move each day.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Thank you all for your suggestions!

Steve, I would like to read about your driving routes, especially if you have a suggestion as to how to go from Cortina to Venice. Should we keep going east and south, or backtrack and take the autostrada back to Verona and then go to Venice?

We are now thinking of extending our stay to four days instead of three; there seems to be a lot to see! Is there a central place to find last minute accommodations, such as a tourist office or chamber of commerce? It would be helpful to know the name in German and Italian so that we know what to look for.

Jal - If you're in a hurry, the quickest route from Cortina is the S.51 via Pieve di Cadore, joining the autostrada near Longarone.

If you have all day and want to do a scenic route, I'd strongly recommend going via San Martino di Castrozza.

The route would be:

CORTINA - (dir. Passo di Giau/Falzarego)) - Pocul - Passo di Giau - COLLE DI S. LUCIA - ALLEGHE - Falcade - (dir. S. Martino) - Passo Rolle - S. MARTINO DI CASTROZZA - Fiera di Primiero - Feltre (S.348) - TREVISO - Venice.

Great stopping points en route are:

- Colle S. Lucia - superb views of Pelmo, Civetta ... Don't miss the fine belvedere just after the village for a fine view down to Lake Alleghe).

- Alleghe - delightful lakeside setting.

- San Martino di Castrozza - the views around San Martino are some of the best in the Dolomites. (Don't miss the cable-car if it's running ...)

Treviso is also a wonderful stop if you have time.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Steve, thanks! Just what I wanted to know.

Approximately how long does it take to do the scenic route? We will want to turn in our car and arrive in Venice before dark.

Also, does anyone know the best/easiest place near Venice to return the car and get transportation (vaparetto ok)? Autoeurope lists about four places in addition to the airport.

There is only one---Piazzale Roma. The choices are merely vendor locations in the garage. It is the only ground transport hub in Venice.

Jal - The distances aren't great.

Cortina - San Martino di Castrozza = 53 miles (2 hrs approx.)

San Martino - Venice = 83 miles (2.5 hrs approx)

Total: 136 miles - about 4.5 hrs actual driving time at a guess.

Hope this helps ...

Steve

Bob and Steve, thanks very much! It is great to have info from others who have "been there, done that!" Looking forward to my trip...

http://www.icastelli.net/castelfragsburg.htm

Schloss Mirabell (3 stars)
Schloss Korb..
and look what i found,,,practically a whole page of them...
http://www.dolomiti.it/castelli/defa...=1&mover=1

does 25% seem like an excessive surcharge on less than 3 day stay?